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Every cable undergoes raw material inspection, in-process quality control and routine electrical testing before shipment.

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Can NA2XY Aluminium XLPE Cable Be Used for Overhead and Underground Installation?

NA2XY is a low-voltage power cable featuring solid or stranded aluminium conductors (N/A), cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation (2X), and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) outer sheath (Y), designed for a nominal rated voltage of 0.6/1 kV in accordance with HD 603 S1 and [1] IEC 60502-1. It is explicitly engineered for underground installation (direct burial with mechanical protection, or in cable ducts and conduits) and indoor/outdoor stationary power distribution. However, NA2XY is not designed for direct self-supporting overhead installation due to the absence of integrated messenger wires, steel wire armor (SWA), or tensile strength strain-relief elements. For aerial applications, it must be supported continuously on cable trays, catenary wires, or replaced by dedicated aerial bundled cables (ABC/NF2X).

Technical Parameter Matrix: NA2XY Cable Specifications

Parameter	Specification / Performance Metric	Standard Reference
Rated Voltage ( $U_0/U$ )	0.6/1 kV ( $U_m = 1.2\text{ kV}$ )	IEC 60502-1 / HD 603 S1
Conductor Material	Plain Annealed Aluminium: Solid Class 1 (RE) or Stranded Class 2 (RM/SM)	[2] IEC 60228 / EN 60228
Insulation Material	Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE)	IEC 60502-1
Outer Sheath Material	Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Type ST2), UV-Resistant (Black)	IEC 60502-1
Max. Conductor Operating Temp.	90°C (Continuous)	IEC 60502-1
Max. Short-Circuit Temp.	250°C (Duration $\le 5\text{ seconds}$ )	IEC 60502-1
Min. Operating Temp.	Static: $-35^\circ\text{C}$ to $+90^\circ\text{C}$ ; Installation: $-5^\circ\text{C}$ to $+50^\circ\text{C}$	EN 60811
Flame Retardancy	Flame retardant according to IEC 60332-1-2	[3] IEC 60332-1-2
Underground Suitability	Suitable for direct burial (in sand beds) or conduits	HD 603 S1 Part 3G
Overhead Suitability	Requires catenary wire / continuous tray support; unsuitable for self-supporting spans	N/A

Underground Installation Requirements for NA2XY

NA2XY cables excel in direct-burial and ducting environments due to the thermal and moisture resistance of the XLPE insulation paired with a heavy-duty PVC outer jacket.

Direct Burial Conditions: When laid directly in soil, NA2XY must be embedded in an impact-absorbing sand bed (minimum 10 cm layer above and below) and protected by concrete covers, plastic warning tapes, or cable protection tiles compliant with local installation codes (e.g., DIN VDE 0298-3).
Mechanical Protection Warning: Because NA2XY is an unarmored cable (lacking steel tape or steel wire armor), it lacks resistance to heavy mechanical crushing, rodent penetration, or sharp stone impact. In high-risk soils or heavy traffic zones, installation inside rigid PVC or HDPE conduits is mandatory.
Thermal Performance Underground: XLPE insulation allows a continuous conductor temperature of 90°C, giving NA2XY a significantly higher current-carrying capacity (ampacity) underground compared to PVC-insulated alternatives (such as NAYYY at 70°C).

Overhead Installation Mechanics and Limitations

Deploying NA2XY in aerial or overhead environments requires strict adherence to mechanical support configurations to prevent conductor elongation and sheath failure.

Self-Supporting Limits: Plain NA2XY cables lack central steel strength members or external messenger wires. Suspending NA2XY directly between utility poles over self-supporting spans induces tensile stress on the aluminium conductors (Class 1 or Class 2), leading to creeping, conductor necking, and eventual open-circuit failure.
Approved Aerial Configurations: NA2XY can be installed outdoors above ground only when fully supported along its entire run using heavy-duty cable trays, ladder racks, or lashed to an external galvanized steel catenary wire (messenger cable).
UV & Environmental Endurance: The black PVC outer sheath of NA2XY contains carbon black additives providing UV stabilization against solar degradation under outdoor exposure compliant with EN ISO 4892-2.

CJDL CABLE Engineering Insight: For underground distribution feeders, NA2XY with XLPE insulation is a practical choice, delivering a 90 °C continuous rating and higher ampacity than PVC-insulated alternatives. For aerial spans, however, we recommend ABC or continuous catenary support, never self-supporting NA2XY. All CJDL CABLE NA2XY cables are manufactured and routinely tested to IEC 60502-1 and HD 603 S1.

References

[1] Wikipedia. IEC 60502 [EB/OL]. 2026-09-22.

[2] Wikipedia. IEC 60228 [EB/OL]. 2026-09-22.

[3] Wikipedia. IEC 60332 [EB/OL]. 2026-09-22.